GCU economics professor headed to Liberia’s 179th anniversary festivities
Photos by Ralph Freso
Dr. Robert Sherman’s contributions to his native country have earned him a significant distinction.
Sherman, an economics professor in the Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University, has accepted an invitation to attend a six-day celebration of Liberia’s 179th anniversary of independence later this month in Monrovia.
“It’s a big one,” said Sherman, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award from former U.S. President Joe Biden two years ago.
Sherman, who has taught at GCU since 2014, will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Liberia, highlighted by all-day ceremonies on July 27 featuring the hoisting of the national flag, the presentation of the national colors, a military and paramilitary parade, and official ceremonies for the observance of the 179th independence anniversary of the country.
“Too often when immigrants come to this country and became successful – not all of them – but some of them forgot where they came from. I did not do that,” Sherman said. “I’ve done everything humanly possible to assist in whatever way I can.”
Sherman organized the shipment of medical supplies to Liberia, as well as established business dealings involving Arizona, the United States and Liberia for more than three decades.
“You give back, but you give back for the right reasons because I’m a Christian,” said Sherman, who left Liberia to earn a degree at Arizona State University, where he met his wife. “Scripture says share your blessings, and that’s what I have done in so many ways, and they (Liberia officials) recognize that and are showing their appreciation.
“The old saying by (former U.S. President) John Kennedy: ‘Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what you can do for your country.’ That has been my life philosophy that I have had since I came here and have been associated with institutions like GCU.”
Sherman said Liberia President Joseph Boakai has visited the U.S. several times because of his recommendation and is hopeful that someday he will visit GCU and talk to students.
“They know I’m associated with GCU, and we want to do right on this trip,” said Sherman, who looks to discuss the quality of a GCU education and its other assets on the trip.
After civil war broke out in Liberia in the late 1980s, prompting citizens to flee for neighboring countries and to refugee camps, Sherman worked with the local rescue commission to bring some of those citizens to the U.S.
Sherman’s role on the Chancellor’s African American Advisory Council provided him with an opportunity to emphasize the importance of Africans in Phoenix and get several Liberians enrolled at junior colleges.
After settling in the Valley, Sherman recognized similarities between Arizona and East Africa in terms of trade potential and began to organize events in Arizona that highlighted potential business partners to the trade opportunities in Africa.
Those efforts caught the attention of the U.S. government, which asked him to help organize a conference in Phoenix on behalf of the State Department, the Department of Commerce and the Corporate Council on Africa.
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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